BAD AS IT'S GOING TO GET????

I grew up under the impression that things were never as bad as they seem---that people tend to exaggerate, and there was always a silver lining. My dad loved to tell the story of the little boy who cried "Wolf, wolf!" all the time just to get attention--until one day there really was a wolf---and nobody paid any attention. Lately, one gets the feeling that perhaps things really are much worse than they appear---the wolf story in reverse. Are we paying enough attention?

There is a creeping, sinking feeling in this country that we're in a deep morass, and that it's possible we'll have to suffer a "double dip" and suffer yet another hit to our already staggering economy. The problem is that the obvious cures are too hard to swallow, and potentially political suicide for those who might suggest and administer the medicine. And so our leaders fuss,flail,complain, and blame, but nothing is getting done ---what else is new in Washington? But this time, at this critical juncture in our history, to do nothing could be not only worse than the existing crisis---but the end of our powerful economy, which is now at breaking point. We are told we must raise the debt ceiling by August 2 in order to avoid default to our creditors. Really? Then why can't the two parties come up with a plan? Actually, the Dems have-- of sorts. They call it a "clean debit limit hike" amounting to 2.4 trillion increase in the debt limit--- the "clean" part? No major cuts to the budget. You've got to be kidding-- sounds more like "dirty pool", with higher taxes arriving in the very near future in order to take up the slack. The Republicans weren't amused and immediately turned down this proposal in an attempt to persuade the Dems into agreeing to more substantial spending cuts in order to balance the debt increase---no dice, so far. The Republicans also have a plan--the highly controversial Paul Ryan proposal, which offers real answers, but tough, unpopular sacrifices---over hauling the Medicare and Medicaid systems and trimming other entitlement programs. The Democrats won't even discuss this, let alone consider any part of it, preferring instead to characterize it as "mean spirited" and throwing senior citizens and children under the very proverbial bus. Such name calling and gamesmanship is getting really old, as it is they, the Democrats,who have been known to agree for a very long time, that medicare and medicaid are the big money pits.

In the meantime, another rating agency following on the heels of Standard & Poor, Moody Investor's Service, has just warned that our triple A credit rating was in urgent jeopardy and the only fix is a vote to increase the debt ceiling asap. Hm-m-m---excellent timing for the Democrats. Chicken Little is alive and well, but it's doubtful the sky will fall, if we don't immediately succumb to the hysterical cries to spend more money in order to stay alive financially--an upside down logic only the government could get away with. This week both sides met to decide whether to raise the debt ceiling, or whether to slash the spending; but ended with each side daring the other to either do something or refuse to-- the Dems, going through the motions, but with no real plan--- in hopes that the Republicans will die on the sword of Ryan's plan, or be accused of obstructionism for not going along to get along. Then, at least the path to election victory will be cleared. The Republicans will have to show true grit in order to stand by their principles---but do they have it? They, too, are politicians, and the game must be played in order to stay in it.

"It's the economy, stupid" used to be the election rallying cry for the Democrat party---now, it seems to be, "It's almost election time, don't be stupid." And so, here we are in gridlock with both parties blaming each other for lack of action or answers. Even some Republicans are fighting among themselves, debating whether for self preservation, they should back off from the very obvious debt crisis, and concentrate on other less incendiary issues. It was interesting to learn that recently 150 noted and respected economists, including former Treasury Secretary George Shultz, said that "increasing the debt ceiling without significant spending cuts and budget reforms will bring further harm to private sector job growth in America." Like the elephant in the room, this is an issue that deserves more than political pandering and posturing.

And so while the Democrats stonewall the crisis and accuse the Republicans of villainous acts and non-cooperation, the Republicans in turn try to engineer a trade off---massively downsizing the budget in order to justify raising the debt limit--- without a snowball's chance in hell of Senate passage. This is the acid test for both parties. But the extreme polarization of our two party system is the real deal breaker, and unless the two can come together, compromise, and hammer out a solution, we and our children will pay the price. Something has to give---care to bet that the old can won't get kicked again? And there you have the reason for the feeling of gathering gloom.

It is no wonder that while Washington fiddles, and our Rome burns, the people themselves, otherwise known as "grass roots", form their own groups, such as "The Tea Party",in hopes of being heard beyond the din of politics as usual. Meanwhile, Sara Palin with her "Rolling Thunder" bus tour and message of less government is drawing huge crowds---even over shadowing those of the current front Republican runner, Mitt Romney. Hello, Washington, and heads up mainstream media---the "you betcha' girl means business, and it isn't as usual. Having not officially decided to run for the presidency, Sara is not to be ignored or marginalized, and perhaps in this day of polished politicians, she appeals precisely because she isn't. Whether or not she throws her hat into the storm of the presidential election, her plain spoken words, heart felt words are being heard despite her critics. The natives are getting restless, and there is a growing drum beat for change away from the Washington elite, who seem to value their careers more than their country.

Obama and his administration have not caused all the ails of this weak economy, but they will have to live with the decisions being made---or not made under their watch. One gets the feeling that they know very well, that we're dangerously losing ground, but that somehow if given enough time, they can somehow avoid doing what desperately needs to be done. Even Bill Clinton, in an unguarded moment last week after the Ryan bill was voted soundly down, was heard to say quietly and almost apologetically to Paul Ryan, author of the bill, that sooner or later Medicare and Medicaid will have to be addressed. Too bad, he isn't saying it publicly---and even sadder that Obama and his crew aren't stepping up to the real problems, instead of strategically staring down their opponents and engaging in demagoguery. On the other hand, the Republicans are being watched closely by their own conservative wing who have mandated change---or else. They are in no mood or position to compromise. The wolf is at the door, but our leaders are too busy playing "Chicken" to do anything about it---or maybe to coin an old phrase, they are the chickens, as in "too chicken" to move.

Could things get any worse? Stay tuned----and Sara, baby---keep rolling.




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